Since the Revolutionary War, Americans have been fighting for their civil liberties. Civil rights are usually associated with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, but history has been full of men and women arguing for their rights to fair and equal treatment no matter their gender, ethnicity or religion. If you are planning a speech on civil rights, there are many speech topics available to you in subjects ranging from education to same-sex marriage rights.

The Right to Same-Sex Marriage

Though some argue that religion determines who has the right to marry, those in support of same-sex marriage consider marriage a matter of civil rights, contending that the right to marry should therefore be extended to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. A civil rights speech regarding the rights of same-sex couples could be timely, depending on how you narrow your focus. Think about topics like the Presidential Memorandum requiring most American hospitals to respect same-sex visitation, the effects of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’s repeal or your opinion on the Respect for Marriage Act.

Equal Rights in Education

Though most of the formal barriers to education have been removed by legislation and court cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, informal barriers continue to persist. Many students feel discriminated against because of their race, or silenced by their teachers despite their right to free speech. There are many civil rights speech topics focusing on equal rights in education to consider. You could write about how we can improve the quality of education in low-income areas to serve minorities and disadvantaged groups, or discuss strategies for increasing university enrollment among people of color.

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Equal Opportunity in the Workplace for Transgendered Employees

Although their civil rights battle has only recently moved into the public eye, transgendered people have long been fighting for protection against discrimination in the workplace. Though some states have required employers to cover the cost of gender transitioning, many more have yet to make a stand in favor of those who identify with a gender other than the one they were born with. A possible civil rights speech topic could focus on how the addition of a mandatory “gender identity or expression” clause to non-discrimination policies across the country would help to create equal opportunity in the workplace for transgendered employees.

Dignity Issues

One of the most famous civil rights speeches ever, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” focused on dignity as a matter of civil rights. Dignity lies at the heart of most civil rights issues as a reflection of equality and universal respect. Consider writing a speech that emphasizes the importance of treating the impoverished with dignity or one that focuses on the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s 2011 proclamation of "two-spirit dignity" and human rights.

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About the Author

Suzy Kerr graduated from Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia. She completed her Master's degree in Nutrition Sciences, also at the University of Georgia. Suzy has been a successful health, fitness and nutrition writer for more than 10 years, and has been published in various print and online publications.